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"But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink"

Text: Amos 2:12

HOW ISRAEL FAILED THE LORD

The nation of Israel should have been grateful and proud to have faithful servants of God in their midst. No other nation had prophets and Nazirites to boast of! But Israel failed the Lord miserably in this respect.

“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink,
And commanded the prophets saying,
‘Do not prophesy!'”
Amos 2:12

1. “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink”

a) Those who had taken the Nazirite vow should have been supported.

i) They should have been given every encouragement.

ii) Israel could have helped to ensure they would succeed in keeping their vows.

b) But they gave wine to the Nazirites.

i) Temptation was given.

ii) Enticement weakened the resolve of the Nazirite.

iii) They succumbed to the temptation of wine.

iv) They ended up breaking their vows to God.

c) Both parties were guilty.

i) The Nazirite.

ii) Those who tempted them.

iii) Israel was mentioned in general.

2. “And commanded the prophets saying, ‘Do not prophesy'”

a) Those who commanded would include the following:

i) The rulers (Kings, princes, judges)

ii) The ruling priests

b) Sometimes royal orders were given to forbid the prophets to prophesy.

c) Sometimes more drastic measures were taken

i) Beating

ii) Imprisonment

iii) Jeremiah was one of the prophets who suffered in this manner (Jeremiah 37:11-21).

3. This was reprehensible

God had to rebuke the nation for these wicked deeds! They would be judged for their cruelty to His servants!